Fare member and LGBT rights group JUST A BALL GAME? (JBG?) have called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) and FIFA to condemn the homophobic chants directed at players at RIO 2016 Olympic Games football matches and address the issue as a priority to ensure the safety of LGBT players, coaching staff and those in the stands during the Games.

The chanting of "bicha" (faggot) in the stadiums, witnessed by fans and journalists during football games, is a recurrent practice in Brazilian football since the 2014 World Cup in Brazil after Brazilian fans copied the Mexican also homophobic 'puto' chant and adapted it to Portuguese.

In a press release JBG? said: "Moving forward JBG? would like assurances from UEFA that players competing in the Women’s Euro 2017 finals in the Netherlands will be given the protection and support necessary should similar incidents occur.

"JBG? would also like to see UEFA work in collaboration in the lead up to and during the tournament with organisations like ourselves and LGBT fan groups to educate stadium event day staff in dealing with homophobic discrimination promptly, alongside educating supporters on what is acceptable language and we call for official anti-discrimination event days to raise awareness of LGBT inclusion and visibility."

The Los Angeles Times' Kevin Baxter, who was in Brazil covering the Olympics, said that the homophobic slur was aimed at the US Women's National Team during its 2-0 victory over New Zealand.

The chant was also heard during the Australia-Canada, in which at least four players identify publicly as LGBT, including the Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé.